Following intense public criticism and stakeholder backlash, the Federal Government has revised its concession agreement for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, reducing the duration from a proposed 80 years to 30 years.
The original plan, revealed in a draft Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement, had proposed an 80-year term with an optional 20-year extension.
The plan sparked outrage, particularly across the Southeast, with critics describing it as a move to “mortgage the region’s future.”
According to reports, the controversial clause, Clause 5.1 of the 64-page agreement, outlined that the concession would begin from the “Effective Date” and include performance-based extension and early termination clauses for non-compliance.
However, in a major policy reversal, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a significantly shortened 30-year concession period on August 1, 2025.
The Council also approved over ₦919 billion in aviation infrastructure projects under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the decision during a media briefing at the State House.
He emphasized that the revised concession reflects the government’s commitment to transparency and responsiveness to public concerns.
Keyamo confirmed that the concession deal, now approved under a Full Business Case (FBC), was initiated by Aero Alliance Consortium through an unsolicited proposal. The agreement includes both the main airport terminal and the still-unfinished cargo terminal.
“The revised concession is in line with our strategy to optimize underutilized airports through responsible private sector partnerships,” Keyamo stated.
“We have ensured that labour unions and all relevant stakeholders were consulted throughout the process.”
In addition to the Enugu concession, the Federal Government rolled out several big-ticket aviation projects:
₦712.2 billion for the full rehabilitation and modernization of Terminal One at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos (22-month timeline).
₦46.4 billion for runway and taxiway upgrades at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
₦42.1 billion for runway and lighting improvements at Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt.
₦44.1 billion for Category II LED lighting upgrades at Runway 18L/36R and taxiways at Lagos airport (30 weeks).
₦24.3 billion for the expansion and conversion of the Lagos domestic terminal apron to rigid pavement (82,000 square meters over 17.5 months).
The government has promised to make the full details of the Enugu concession deal public soon, as it continues to promote private sector involvement in the management and revitalization of critical infrastructure.
